Reversible Reciprocating Pump

Abstract

An injector generator for use in geomechanical pumped storage systems includes a power end and a fluid end. The fluid end has one or more fluid chambers each having a fluid inlet and outlet that are controlled by rotary valves. The fluid end can function as a pump or as a motor driven by fluid pressure from the geomechanical storage formation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of storing fluid and generating electricity, comprising:
 providing a bi-directional injector generator, comprising:
 a power end comprising a power end housing, an INGEN drive shaft, and a power end reciprocating piston disposed within the power end housing and connected to the INGEN drive shaft via a piston rod; and 
 a fluid end comprising a fluid end housing connected to the power end housing, a fluid end reciprocating piston disposed within the fluid end housing and connected to the power end reciprocating piston via a connecting rod, and a fluid chamber comprising an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet comprises a first rotary valve assembly connected to the INGEN drive shaft via a timing belt, and further wherein the outlet comprises a second rotary valve assembly connected to the INGEN drive shaft via the timing belt; 
   providing an electrical generator, wherein the electrical generator comprises a second drive shaft, wherein the second drive shaft is connected to the INGEN drive shaft;   activating clockwise rotation of the INGEN drive shaft, wherein the clockwise rotation of the INGEN drive shaft causes reciprocal movement of the first reciprocating piston, wherein the reciprocal movement of the first reciprocating piston causes movement of the second reciprocating piston;   pumping fluid into a previously fracked well, wherein the fluid enters the fluid chamber via the inlet on the suction stroke, and further wherein the fluid exits the fluid chamber via the outlet on the power stroke, wherein the pumping of the fluid into the previously fracked well elastically expands the hydraulic fractures in the previously fracked well;   storing the fluid in the elastically expanded hydraulic fractures;   relieving the fluid pressure in the previously fracked well, wherein the fluid under pressure enters the outlet of the fluid end, wherein the fluid end reciprocating piston acts as a driving force on the power end reciprocating piston, and further wherein the power end reciprocating piston causes the INGEN drive shaft to rotate, and further wherein the rotation of the INGEN drive shaft causes the second drive shaft to rotate; and   generating electricity through the electrical generator;   wherein the bi-directional injector generator operates between 700 and 2000 psi.